Kid Dynamite: Four Years in One Gulp [DVD]Four Years in One Gulp [DVD] (2006)Jade Tree Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on February 21st 2006A stringy-haired Steve Evetts looks into a handheld camera held by Kid Dynamite guitarist Dan Yemin. In his hands he grips a small piece of paper with a 2-letter word on it and a punctuation mark at the end. It's no larger than 4" x 4", but the font is bold-faced, so you can read it clearly as Evett.

A stringy-haired Steve Evetts looks into a handheld camera held by Kid Dynamite guitarist Dan Yemin. In his hands he grips a small piece of paper with a 2-letter word on it and a punctuation mark at the end. It's no larger than 4" x 4", but the font is bold-faced, so you can read it clearly as Evetts presses it against the mixing board. "Dan: This is for your benefit. Note the well-placed 'GO.'" There is Kid Dynamite's existence summed up in one small, intentionally metaphorical action: Abbreviated but aggressive. Short but impacting. Brief but powerful. A duration that lasted no more than 4 years, but one that turned heads, and continues to do so today.

Four Years in One Gulp, the melodic hardcore legends' first full-length feature DVD, captures the band's history in a chronological fashion with candid looks inside the story of their history. Jade Tree presents an absolutely wonderful collaboration of talking heads' stories, crisp photos, direct narration from lead singer Jason Shevchuk, a bit of tour footage and a diverse array of interspersed live clips from over the years. The entire sequence leads from the ex-Lifetime members starting to collaborate on the band all the way to the heartbreaking end of the band, and with a look at the band's reunion shows in 2003.

The major players in terms of the talking heads are the collective band themselves, hanging out in a living room and reminscing of practices and tour occurrences. Jade Tree co-owner and former roadie Darren Walters spills the juice on "inside the van" tidbits, as does former roadies Dave Hause (now singing and playing guitar for the Loved Ones) and Colin McGinnus (now in None More Black), who get plenty of face time themselves with their plethora of stories ("and Spider ate some rancid Doritos...," "they were wrestling in the nude..."). A number of other area band members get their say in, as well.

The sound for the videos are not at their respective maximums, but they suffice well and match the sometimes mildly grainy footage perfectly. The very first shown, "Pacifier," is appropriately from the band's first ever show, which is hilarious in aspects. Shevchuk looks like he walked out of a chemistry final, while the entirety of the band seemingly refuses to shy away from facing the crowd, including a barefoot, gym clothes-covered Dan Yemin. Temporary bassist Ernie Parada (Grey Area), only played a few shows with the band, but footage is included, which is a great clip of "Shiner," shot from a profile view, but one in which the crowd is right up front and whose faces are clearly visible; everyone from the frumpy-looking but pleased as punch fangirl to the spiky haired fellow who doesn't seem to know any words but is enjoying himself regardless get their cameos in. Even included is a latter-era clip of the band's cover of Black Flag's "Rise Above," taken from the last show of KD's last tour.

While it tends to solely involve the band killing time, including Yemin deeply concentrated on a round of Mortal Kombat, studio footage from the "recording" of the band's self-titled debut is here and engaging nonetheless, if not just for Dave Wagenshutz's 'STRAIGHT EDGE ISN'T COOL ANYMORE' shirt.

The DVD briefly looks at the 2003 reunion shows as well, with some rather candid footage of the band in the rehearsal space, practicing for the forthcoming shows. This section of the DVD even manages to include a clip of "Fuckuturn," taken from a secret show played as a warmup a number of days before the official shows at Philadelphia's First Unitarian Church. The "Heart a Tact" clip here is one of the best on the disc.

Slight mention is even made of the CBGBs benefit from this past August 2005, photos of which are lovely to see.

The extras are worth at least glances, as well. From a quick glimpse, the band commentary appears to be both informative and humorous, which is all you can ask for when it comes to that usually ignored area of DVDs, while Hause and McGinnus team up for more stories.

I have a feeling Kid Dynamite will long be remembered in the minds of all who regard punk rock as an important branch of rock. In the scope of the musical stratosphere, they may be but a blip on the radar, but in hardcore punk, they were kings. The East Coast stalwarts were a band who took an old hat and wore it on their heads like it was the greatest thrift store find of all time. Visual proof is in Four Years in One Gulp, which is a perfect assurance that both Kid Dynamite's songs and passion for recreating an atmosphere of pure, unbridled punk rock created legacy that will long go unmatched.

ADDENDUM: Some friends and readers have alterted me that the bonus section also includes a number of songs from the CBGBs reunion performance, with solid video and spectacular audio quality. I believe my score is fully justified.

Yeah, Killer Instinct could have been massive, but Nintendo just let it fucking go... But seriously, Mortal Kombat II is *the* best 2-d beat-em-up you could get on a 16-bit console, end of story. As much as I liked the SF2 series, they were just too generic and "disney" for my taste. Apart from Blanka. He was fucking hardcore.

Im glad you took the time to search online and read through gay erotica to find that story. Douchebag.

Anonymous (February 23, 2006)

We decided to do the massage on the floor in the living room. So I closed the shades and told him to go get the oil out of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom upstairs. I had already laid out a blanket on the floor and had brought over a hand towel and a bath towel. I got undressed down to my boxer briefs, debating in my mind whether or not to take them off too. I told myself that professional massages are usually done nude under a towel or sheet so I took them off. That was a good rationalization, but my cock started to stir after I took them off and was naked in my living room. I laid face down on the floor and reached for the bath towel to cover up. But on second thought, I took the hand towel and just covered my ass with that.

My cock was still swelling as I started to wonder what this massage would lead to. I had a feeling that if I give Wade the go signal he would be all over me. I admit that I was a bit curious, but I didn't really know what I would be willing to do.

I was laid down with my head turned to the side looking away from the staircase when he came in.

"OK, I found the oil, you look ready to get started." He said.

Then he dimmed the lights and kneeled down beside me. " Are you sure you want to keep that towel on?" He asked with a giggle.

"Yeah I think I better," I said with a nervous laugh. "I don't want you to get any ideas."

"Too late for that! But don't worry, I'll be strictly professional like promised"

I closed my eyes as Wade rubbed the first bit of oil into my back. He used quite a bit of oil and got it spread over my back shoulders and neck in long strokes. It felt great and I started relaxing immediately. True to his word the massage was starting very professional and he was actually quite talented. He quickly found knots and took his time to work on them. He worked some oil into my left arm and massaged from the shoulder down to my hand. The massage on my hand was, while strictly professional, still very sensual. He took my hand between his and rubbed it with his palm and then massaged each finger individually. He stroked my middle finger up and down a few times almost like it was a cock. This image got stuck in my mind and I couldn't help but imaging him doing this to my dick. Sure enough I started getting hard again. He repeated the process on my other arm and gave me the same finger treatment on the other side.

I was definitely enjoying this, not only the great massage but also the sexual tension that was in the air. It was exciting.

Then he positioned himself so that he was kneeling on the floor in front of my head and ran his hands up and down my back with long strokes finishing just at the point where the towel covered my ass. It felt great. He continued like this a little more with every stroke going a little further down so that his fingers starting going under the towel slightly. The longer the stroked the more he was leaning over me and I felt his shirt brushing against my head as his fingertips started going over the very top off my ass. I wasn't sure how professional this was but it felt great and my hard-on was swelling even more. The last couple of strokes a finger slid down just the top of my ass crack, not enough to be obviously probing or anything but just enough so that we both were very aware of it.

I was kind of in a dreamy state when he said "OK, I'll move down to your legs now."

I found myself a bit disappointed that he didn't go a little farther, but I didn't say anything.

As he rubbed the oil into my legs he asked me if I was enjoying it so far.

"It's fantastic Wade, you've really got great hands"

"My mouth is even better, but you didn't want to bet for that," He said in his devious voice. I had my eyes closed but I could just see the grin on his face. I couldn't help smiling.

He started on my calves and really worked them over. Then he did my feet, which are normally very ticklish. But he had a firm grip and with the oil it didn't tickle at all. I found the foot massage very sensual like the hands and this did nothing to abate my hard-on, which was really starting to get uncomfortable.

After my feet he started in on my left hamstring and started long strokes up and down the muscles from the back of my knee right up to the bottom of my ass. I wasn't sure how much the little hand towel covered I was pretty sure he could look up between my legs and see my balls. He quickly started going higher on my leg with is thumbs digging in along the muscle and his fingers going up each side of my leg. His right hand was going high up between my legs and I was sure he was getting close to my balls. I was so hard at that moment. I wanted more. On his last stroke up my left leg his fingers brushed lightly against my balls and I inadvertently let out a little "umm"

He moved himself over to work on my right hamstring and as he was moving I spread my legs open further. I guess he took noticed this because this time he straddled my leg instead of kneeling next to it. He repeated the same types of strokes on this side but was even more bold going up onto the bottom of my ass with one hand and high up my in between my legs with the other. The tips of his fingers would just barely touch my nuts at the top of every stroke and I new that he was very aware of it. My breathing was getting heavy. My heart was beating fast and my cock was rock hard.

Anonymous (February 23, 2006)

I recently beat Street Fighter II using one move (not even a special move). Vega's jumps and jump-punches.

SF2 was an alright game, but, even in the arcades, the difference betwen it and Mortal Kombat was sort of the difference between SNES and Genesis.

Mortal Kombat was so much faster, more intelligent, more interesting, more sophisticated, and darker.

Bought it today, just finished watching it, slightly disappointing.
This could have been so much better.
Hause and CPM were pretty funny, and there was some pretty cool shit on here, but nothing extraordinary.
I'd give it a 6.

I had i think MK Trilogy, which had all the characters, bosses and levels from the first three MK games on the original Playstation, then I sold it. Look out for it, you could play like Goro and Shao Khan and stuff. Awesomeness.

i picked up s/t around christmas as an introduction to kd cause i never really got into them back in the day. maybe i expected too much, but i was dissapointed a little. theyre a good band, but for somethin so influencial i guess i thought itd be a little less... standard

good review, its nice to see some insight going into the reviews lately, props especially to Brian (for this review) and Anchors (for just about every review they have done...I don't think you're aping pitchfork, unfortunately you have talent and that makes people jealous)

Anonymous (February 22, 2006)

I could never get into this band, nor any of their post projects. I must not like melodic hardcore. Wait, I don't like melodic hardcore at all. Sounds like an oxymoron to me.

-Ken

Anonymous (February 22, 2006)

Chicago is completely SOLD OUT of this DVD. What the fucking fuck????

I got 3 stores holding for me once they re-stock.

Again, what the fuck!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

Will's a fucking tool, ignore him.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

Maybe I'm clueless. Maybe I just honestly think it sucks. Maybe I have a good taste in music and 90's emo hardcore hasn't aged too well.

That guy's lyrics and vocals kill it all. Not to mention that their later stuff blows.

Will, you fail to realize how comprehensive this really is. It covers the band's complete history, tour and live footage from most every major point of their two tours, photos, commentary from some of the people most closely involved with the band, and video footage from both reunions. It really is the package deal.

can someone who has this please rip it and share?
i can't see myself ordering this until i see it first.
thanks!

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

God forbid people get really excited about a band...it's kind of why we're all posting on a music news website to begin with -- because we all happen to be obsessed w/ it.

- Kirby

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

Kid Dynamite were cool and tons of bands did what they did and did it better but no one really gives two shits about those bands. It's like fate decided that Lifetime and KD were going to be the most hyped-post-breakup bands of the new century.

Really, listen to it. It's just okay 90's punk. Yeah, it's good. Some of it is awesome, but it's not "definitive hardcore" and really has not impacted the scene that much. In fact, Lifetime impacted music a lot more than KD, but their later music blew.

Kid Dynamite's first album is slightly better than their second, but neither are anything "classic." They have some awesome melodies. Yipee.

I seriously do not get the hype and I watched some of this DVD at my friend's house and it was just your average band DVD.

-Will

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

the bouncing souls dvd is hard to touch in terms of value......im fine with live sets though

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

Chinatown tries too hard, but ends up coming off as contrived.

joshcbfl

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

this is awesome, but nothing can ever be as good as "Do You Remember", that dvd is simply untouchable.

This is tied with "The Girl Can Rock" as best music dvd of the last 3 years.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

if I had a nickel for everytime someone on this website verbally went down on kid dynamite/lifetime/paint it black, I wouldn't be sitting at work right now. seriously... if dr dan asked to fuck any of the reviewers on this site, would they have to fight to see who would bend over first?

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

So is this as good as the Bouncing Souls DVD "Do You Remember"? Because that set the bar pretty fucking high.

Best band DVD ever, belonging to one of the best bands ever. Fucking love this band.

Since getting this thing in the mail, I've watched it five times, not including commentary...the stories and shit, especially from Hause and McGinnis are fucking GOLD. I love Hause's impressions...haha.

They only have 2 albums, and you can't go wrong with either. I should be getting this in the mail any day now...

...evildeadalive

Anonymous (February 21, 2006)

never really listened to these guys, usually the melodic hardcore label to a band means death, but i checked them out and they're pretty good. which album would be the best place to start listening to these guys?